Accounting Bridge Program
What is an Accounting Bridge Program?
The accounting bridge program at Grand Canyon University is an option for students with a bachelor’s degree in an approved business field, other than accounting, to more easily earn their accounting master’s degree. The bridge program prepares business students with the fundamental background knowledge they need to enroll in an MSA program. The courses taken during the accounting bridge program are the introductory courses to an MSA, ensuring that students get a head start in their graduate-level studies.
Prepare for a Master of Science in Accounting with a Bridge Degree
The accounting bridge program is comprised of 32 credit hours and can be completed in 12 months. Bachelor’s degree holders who are working full-time can take bridge program courses online with GCU, making it easier to balance work and school. Advancing your career with an online bridge program in accounting could not be easier.
The bridge to MS accounting program will cover all of the topics needed to transition from a degree in a business-related field to an MSA program. Some of these topics include:
- Accounting cycle
- Financial statements
- Principles of accounting
- Cost-volume-profit analysis
- Budgets
- Capital investments
- Income statements
- Retirement benefits
- Taxation
- Payroll
- Auditing
Next Steps After an Accounting Bridge Program
Students who complete the accounting bridge program at GCU are eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Accounting program. This program prepares students to complete the Uniform CPA Examination. This exam is required for achieving a CPA license in your state, residence or practice.
Accountants with advanced degrees can find themselves in management and leadership positions in corporate and public accounting. If you see yourself as a future Chief Financial Officer, a bridge in accounting program may be the right path for you. Learn more about the bridge to the MS accounting program at Grand Canyon University to continue your career path.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the accounting cycle and the construction of financial statements. Students explore the fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); the steps in the accounting cycle from journalizing transactions through the preparation of financial statements; and the use and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the use of managerial accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics include the use of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costs in decision making, using budgets and the balanced scorecard to evaluate performance, methods for setting prices of products and services, and analyzing capital investment opportunities. Prerequisite: ACC-250.
Course Description
This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore the accounting cycle, the preparation of detailed financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting for assets, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisite: ACC-260 or ACC-350.
Course Description
This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore liabilities and equity items; the specific rules for accounting for pensions; postretirement benefits, leases, and accounting changes; and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisite: ACC-370.
Course Description
This course provides a study of the theory and practices of accounting for income taxes of corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and individuals. Prerequisite: ACC-250.
Course Description
Auditing is an examination of generally accepted auditing standards, procedures involved in the auditing process, and ethical issues faced by the auditor. Through class discussions, practical applications and case studies, students learn the responsibilities of the independent public auditor in the expression of opinion within the guidelines set by the AICPA’s Code of Professional Ethics. Topics include the nature and types of audits, auditor responsibilities and legal liabilities, audit reports, auditing procedures, ethical issues, contemporary issues in auditing, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prerequisites: ACC-260 or ACC-350, and ACC-370.
Course Description
This course provides a study of principles of internal accounting, including job order systems, process costing, activity-based costing, and budgeting. Prerequisite: ACC-260 or ACC-350.
Course Description
This course provides a study of accounting theory as it applies to partnerships and business combinations, international accounting, and governmental accounting. Prerequisites: ACC-370 and ACC-371.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.